Geraint Thomas voiced his frustration after being brought down for the second time in as many days at the Tour de France.

Wales’ twice Olympic gold medallist had lost precious seconds on Saturday after being a victim of a pile-up caused by American hope Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) hitting the deck heading into the short but steep finishing climb.

And Thomas banged the hip he had hurt less than 24 hours earlier when there was a sudden hold-up during today’s ascent of Le Markstein in the Vosges region.

“It was a little tumble but it’s frustrating with riders fighting like it’s a bunch sprint on a climb. There was a squeeze and I just toppled over. I’m fine apart from the fact I landed on the same side as Saturday,” said the 28-year-old.

There was seven categorised ascents during the 170km ninth stage from Gerardmar to Mulhouse and the race favourites relaxed after a hectic start as Germany’s popular world time-trial champion Tony Martin gave the stricken Mark Cavendish’s Omega Pharma – Quick-Step team a second victory by riding away from his fellow escapees.

“It is always a big difference between having success in a road stage and in a time trial,” beamed Martin.

“You don’t know when you cross the line in a time trial if you have won but here I knew 5km out that even with a puncture or a crash I would still be all right.

“I didn’t want to be involved in a silly game if I was caught by the chasers and I still had some power left in my legs so I decided to go for it. It was an incredible feeling, one of my best days in cycling.”

Maindy Flyers and Cardiff Ajax product Thomas said: “It took a long time for the break to go. The race was certainly on for that first hour and a half.

“We kept riding at a decent tempo all day and nobody was able to stop for a wee or anything like that. It was constantly pressing on and never easy. It was another solid day before another big day.”

Thomas and new Team Sky leader Richie Porte, who has taken over that mantle from Chris Froome, last year’s winner having exited a compelling race with wrist and hand fractures, finished in the group of Vincenzo Nibali as the Italian and his Astana squad were happy to relinquish the yellow jersey ahead of Monday’s first real mountain test.

Frenchman Tony Gallopin will wear it on Bastille Day after being the best-placed rider in a group of 28 men who forged clear ahead of today’s third climb.

He said: “It’s just amazing. This yellow jersey is just a dream come true. I have never imagined before taking it – when I was 13 I was dropped in virtually every race I competed in.

“It’s going to be a huge honour wearing it during a very hard stage but it’s going to be a proud day for me. I have nothing to lose.”

Sitting 3min 27sec down on Nibali heading into the stage, Gallopin turned that deficit into a 1:34 lead as the race finished close to the German border.

Nibali’s Astana team-mate Jakob Fuglsang also dropped down the general classification from second to fourth as Portugal’s Tiago Machado moved into third place for Netapp-Endura with the dangerous Pierre Rolland (Europcar), who finished fourth in May’s Giro D’Italia, climbing to eighth.

Astana’ decision to allow Gallopin to slip into yellow was based on saving energy because it means early pace-making duties at the head of the peloton will be undertaken by his Belgium team Lotto-Belisol if none of their rivals want to chip in.

He’s likely to only keep it for 24 hours with the big two of Nibali and Spanaird Alberto Contador expected to go at it hammer-and-tongs with Porte and the other overall contenders hanging on for grim death during what is expected to be one of the key stages of this year’s Tour.

Australian Porte slipped to fifth and Thomas to 18th with the latter expecting fireworks during the mountainous 161.5km stage from Mulhouse to the steep finish at La Planche Des Belles Filles, where Froome won two years ago.

“It’s up and down all day and I think the GC will really get sorted out. There will be a lot of tired bodies and some big attacks on the last climb,” predicted Thomas.